A step-by-step guide for finding good thesis and dissertation topics


Writing a thesis and/or dissertation shows that you are dedicated to your education and your future success. You gave many years of your life to get to the place where you are finally able to work on this exciting paper. Many people spend months and even years working on their dissertation and thesis projects, so it is important that you do not take the project lightly. For most students, deciding on a topic can be the most difficult process of all. Here is a step-by-step guide to finding a good topic that you can research and work with for several months:

  1. Read dissertations and theses written by students in your field of study. The more you read, the better prepared you will be to choose a topic and write the paper. You will be able to see what the topic should look like and how to research and argue your ideas. Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to writing a lengthy paper that will receive so much review. You might even be inspired by one of the dissertations, so you can continue the work that was previously begun.

  2. Look into your interests. When you choose a dissertation topic, you will spend a long time working on it. This is why it is vital that you choose a topic you feel passionate about, possibly because it will affect your future or it has affected you in the past. You cannot go wrong researching and writing about something that drives you toward success.

  3. Find literature about your potential topics. If you have narrowed down a few ideas, then it is time to being looking for any reading material you can find. Since this is the exploratory phase of your dissertation, you do not need to commit to any of the actual articles. You should simply read a few of the latest pieces so you can begin to narrow down your options effectively. There are some books available that can help you conduct a literary review quickly and successfully.

  4. Learn about methodologies. There are several ways to attack a research topic. You need to understand the different ways that previous researchers have done it. When you understand the methodologies behind the research and the reporting, you will be able to narrow your topic so you can actually get it approved by your instructor and begin the process.